TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trade Ministry encouraged the synergy between the central and regional government in maintaining supply of staple foods and prices of staple goods, especially in anticipation for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebration.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that soon there will be potential increase of staple goods demands, especially on December 2019.

"Meanwhile, the weather condition is yet to be conducive for the national food production. Therefore, the central and regional government need to anticipate the sufficiency of staple goods supply," Enggartiasto said on Friday, October 4, 2019.

The Trade Minister added that synergy between the central and regional government, with all food businesses have been conducted in the last few years. Enggartiasto said that such efforts must be maintained to ensure the availability of staple goods for the public with affordable prices.

"The public can obtain foods with affordable price, available in sufficient amount. Meanwhile, businesses will receive proper revenue," Enggartiasto explained.

The Trade Minister has been instructed with the obligation to maintain price stability and the availability of staple goods, which is reflected through a controlled inflation rate currently recorded at a level of 3.5 percent.

Currently, the government is facing challenges that must be anticipated together. One of these challenges is the inflation of food category products in 2019, which tends to increase and the long dry season all over Indonesia.

"Some of the main factors of the increasing inflation is the increase of the price of garlic due to disruption in the import supply, and chili due to the long dry season," Enggartiasto stated.

Enggartiasto asserted that religious festivities are the period most vulnerable to price fluctuation, especially for staple foods, because of the increasing demands from the public.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, the unfavorable weather condition, which is yet to enter the wet season will potentially delay the planting season.

ANTARA